Right- and Left-Libertarianism

Libertarianism is not all of the same piece. Some versions are conservative, while others are left-wing, holding that liberty is self-evident and universal, utterly indifferent to culture and history.

Libertarianism is not all of the same piece. Some versions are conservative, while others are left-wing, holding that liberty is self-evident and universal, utterly indifferent to culture and history.

It looks as if some 11 million illegal third world immigrants will soon become American citizens, as Congress prepares to provide for them “a pathway to citizenship.”

Amnesty is coming our way.

Meanwhile, another event makes national news, as it was announced that women will no longer be prohibited from engaging in combat.

A certain type of libertarian cheers both developments, and for good reason: Underlying both is one and the same conception of liberty.

That is to say, the idea underwriting both of these issues is that liberty or freedom is as self-evident and universal as is the most basic statements of mathematics. It is an idea of liberty that is as indifferent — utterly, thoroughly indifferent — to culture and history as is 2 + 2 = 4.

Though they broke American laws in so doing, those millions of immigrants who entered our country illegally were simply acting on their “right,” their liberty, to pursue happiness for themselves and their children. Similarly, women have “a right,” a liberty, to fight on the front lines of war if they so choose.

Judge Andrew Napolitano is an example of the type of libertarian who thinks along these lines.

The judge eviscerated Arizona Governor Jan Brewer when she signed SB 1070 to help Arizonans deal with the ravages of illegal immigration that it had been suffering for years. And he also has never put up any kind of resistance to amnesty. Instead,

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